Adolescent Relationship Abuse
Actual or threatened abuse within a romantic relationship or former relationship. One partner will try to maintain power and control over the other. Young people can have a lack of experience around safe relationships and may not realise that abusive behaviour is not OK. [1]
Healthy Relationships ❤️
Healthy Relationships in adolescents can help shape a young person’s identity and prepare them for more positive relationships during adulthood. [2]
Good Communication
Mutual Respect
Trust
Honesty
Equality
Being Yourself
Unhealthy Relationships 💔
Unfortunately, adolescents sometimes develop unhealthy relationships and experience or exhibit dating abuse. [2]
Control
Possessiveness
Jealousy
Providing adolescents with tools to start and maintain healthy relationships may have a positive influence on young people’s overall development. [3]
Abuse takes many forms…
PHYSICAL
Hitting, kicking, shoving
SEXUAL
Unwanted kissing, touching, rape
EMOTIONAL
Isolating, Stalking, threatening behaviour
DIGITAL
Constant texts or calls, stalking via GPS
A young person can become a victim of exploitation, and relationships may even appear as an apparently ‘consensual’ relationship, where the reality is that gifts and compliments are exchanged for sex. There is also a normalisation of pornography and sexually explicit images amongst young people which can affect what sort of behaviour is perceived as ‘normal’ and acceptable increasing vulnerability. Young people may have limited knowledge and understanding around choice and consent.
It’s common, but hidden…
Domestic Abuse is a hidden issue in society, even more so for adolescents. This is exacerbated by the fact that adolescents can be more accepting of and dismissive about this form of behaviour than adults. Young people in exploitative relationships may not even realise they are being abused.
Adolescents experience as much relationship abuse as adults…
40% of young people are in abusive dating relationships. [5]
31% of girls, 16% of boys reported some form of sexual abuse within their relationship. [6]
25% of girls, 18% of boys reported some form of physical abuse. [6]
75% of girls, 50% of boys reported some form of emotional relationship abuse. [6]
It’s important to note that abuse can occur in relationships regardless of Gender, Age, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status or Sexual Orientation. Research has shown that some adolescents have worryingly high levels of acceptance of abuse within relationships and often justify the abuse with the actions of the victim e.g. because they were unfaithful. [5]
The Signs
The ways adolescents experience and respond to domestic abuse are different to adults and therefore require a different response. Adolescents tend to turn to their peers for support, but attitudes towards abuse amongst them can lead to abusive behaviour being condoned rather than challenged. Against Violence & Abuse (AVA) have developed a leaflet called ‘How to help your mates’ which can be given to young people to help inform them, should their friends confide in them. [1]
Presenting Signs ⚠️
Physical signs of injury/illness
Truancy
Constant contact with dating partner
Withdrawal, passivity, being compliant
Changes in mood + behaviour
Isolation from family + friends
Pregnancy
Self-harm [5]
Risk Factors
Many young people will be experiencing multiple risk factors. However, as with abuse in adult relationships, adolescent relationship abuse occurs across diverse groups and cultures. [7]
Think about… Gender Identity, Minority Groups, Family Influence, Religious Beliefs, Sexual Preferences, Gangs and Criminals.
It has a lasting impact…
Relationship abuse is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for adolescents…
Support from professionals…
Young people engage with services in a different way to adults. They may have fluid relationships and specific preferences for communicating, as well as different priorities to adults… [7]
Draw on a variety of different techniques that improve engagement.
Be prepared to spend time exploring what type of abuse it is.
Validate the seriousness of an adolescent’s relationship.
Communicate on their terms.
Don’t generalise.
Focus on Safeguarding.
Young people are protected under Child Protection legislation until their 18th birthday.
Seek high risk domestic abuse expertise.
Consider additional conflicts the young person might be experiencing.
Who are they attending with? Are they who they say they are?
Are they being discharged to a safe place?
Consider NHS apps like the Safeguarding Guide.
